So what about TV?

Did you know? Most children are exposed to the world of television long before they enter school.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation:

- Two-thirds of infants and toddlers watch a TV screen an average of 2 hours a day.

- Children under age 6 watch an average of about 2 hours of screen media a day.

- Televisions are a permanent part of the bedroom for 30 percent of children by age 3 and 43 percent of children by age 6.

In homes of children age 6 or younger, the TV is left on at least 50% of the time, even if no one is watching, and 30% have the set on "almost all" or "most" of the time.

Many children spend more time watching TV than any other single activity during the height of the most critical period for language and cognitive development. As a result, they spend less time reading or being read to, less time in family conversations, and less time involved in challenging mental activities such as puzzles, board games, etc.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit their children's viewing to one to two hours per day and avoid TV altogether for children under 2.

Here are some recommendations:

- Keep the TV off during family mealtimes and make conversation a priority.

- Plan a weekly TV schedule and teach your child to turn off the TV set at the end of his or her show.

- Spend TV down time by reading more to your child, and let your child see you reading rather than watching TV to relax.